This article analyzes the realities of the Komsomol’s struggle against cultural backwardness in the village during the 1920s. Connecting surrounding deficiencies with the “remnants of the past,” the Komsomol stood out for its radicalism, lack of foresight in actions, and disregard for rural specifics. However, this should not overshadow the positive results of the transformations of the youth union that can still be appreciated today. The authors attempt to identify these results by objectively studying the influence of the Komsomol and the Pioneers on the peasantry. The problem is approached from the perspective of “generational” history. Examining peasants’ attitudes towards the results of the “revolution in everyday life,” the authors primarily focus on the reaction of representatives of the “revolutionary breakthrough generation” (mostly born in the 1890s) to youth innovations. Although peasants often negatively assessed the achievements of the Komsomol due to their natural conservatism, which objectively had positive consequences, a gradual increase in peasants’ sympathies towards the Komsomol’s “revolution in everyday life” is evident overall. The slight age difference between the “revolutionary breakthrough generation” and the “children of the revolution” (Komsomol members of that time) contributed to attracting peasants from the “revolutionary overturn generation” to events organized by the Komsomol.

The article analyzes the historical, ethno-social, economic, and political reasons for the formation of separatist tendencies in regions where the Catalan language is spoken in Spain: Catalonia, Valencia, and the Balearic Islands. It is commonly believed that these regions share many similarities, yet in practice only Catalonia seeks independence. The study investigates why separatist tendencies are prominently displayed in only one of the Catalan-speaking regions. The research is based on historical facts, scholarly works dedicated to separatism in Catalan-speaking regions, statistical data on the economies of the regions and election results, and news reports. The conclusion drawn from the study is that the Catalan-speaking regions have many distinct characteristics: they have different histories tied to their past status as regions; different self-perceptions within Spain and globally, varying economic conditions, and consequently different political tendencies. It is proven that due to historical, ethno-social, economic, and political reasons, Valencia and the Balearic Islands have no intention of separating from Spain, leaving Catalonia alone in its quest for independence.

This article explores the history of the construction of one of the main transportation arteries in modern Iran: the Enzeli-Teheran highway with the Kazvin-Hamadan section. The road was funded by the Russian treasury and aimed to boost Russian-Persian trade by including not only the northern provinces of Persia but also the central part of the country. The intensification of trade was expected to occur through the introduction of automobile traffic on the highway, replacing the archaic caravan routes. The article presents the perspectives of both the Russian government of that period and entrepreneurial circles on the choice of road direction and the justification for transitioning to a new method of cargo delivery. It concludes that there were significant discrepancies in the positions of these parties. While the Russian government saw great geopolitical advantage in connecting the largest Enzeli port with Teheran and constructing the Kazvin-Hamadan branch linking northern Persia with its central part, entrepreneurs viewed it as a threat of European product penetration into northern Persia. Fortunately, the entrepreneurial community was not unanimous in its views, and a group emerged willing to embark on this new venture, promising to be successful and give a fresh impetus to Russian-Persian trade relations.

The study draws on documents from the first department of the Ministry of Justice regarding "agrarian unrest" in the Central Black Earth region in autumn 1905, housed in the Russian State Historical Archive. Cases related to agrarian uprisings in the Tambov and Voronezh gubernias are examined, with a focus on studying the involvement of peasants from the "revolutionary generation" in the agrarian movement (individuals born approximately in the 1890s). The significant role of rumors during the revolution is highlighted. The author explores the causes, algorithms, and characteristics of peasant uprisings, analyzing the role of "leaders" in "agrarian unrest," often led by young individuals less inclined to adhere to traditions. The leading role of youth in the revolutionary movement is emphasized, with urban disturbances acting as catalysts for agrarian uprisings. The communal role is evident in preparing and carrying out forest clearances, pogroms, and more. The evolution of the mosaic nature of peasant self-awareness during the "revolutionary generation" period is analyzed. The author concludes that the October 17, 1905 manifesto played a significant role in awakening revolutionary consciousness in the Tambov and Voronezh villages. Shortcomings in investigating cases of "agrarian unrest" are discussed, allowing many rebels to evade punishment, with the average age of accused peasants calculated at 35.6 years.

The subject of the study is Anglo-German relations during the crisis period of 1908-1911. The aim of the work is to examine the views and activities of German state and public figures who directly or indirectly influenced the overall background of Anglo-German relations in the context of escalating antagonism between the two states. This process was influenced by the so-called ‘war party’, to which a certain group of German politicians with pronounced nationalist-chauvinistic ideals belonged. The historical sources used in the article are analyzed from a personal approach and anthropology of international relations. Based on these sources, the previously poorly studied activities of the German elite, who acted in conjunction with Kaiser Wilhelm II and shaped Germany’s current foreign policy agenda in the pre-war period, are characterized. The author concludes that throughout the entire crisis period of Anglo-German relations from 1908 to 1911, neither the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs nor Chancellors B. Bülow and T. Bethmann-Hollweg were able to fully seize the initiative from the ‘war party’, which was shaping Wilhelm II’s policies. This became possible due to constitutional deformation and the celebrated ideas of a great national state in German society.

The brief report on the activities of the St. Petersburg Slavic Charitable Committee for the year 1869 includes a record that society members discussed the celebration of the 500th anniversary of Jan Hus and established a prize for an essay on the Czech religious figure. The inclusion of Hus in the list of “jubilarians” worthy of honor not only highlights the significance of this religious thinker for the Slavic world but also touches upon certain political aspects of Russian history. The article analyzes the reasons for the Russian public's attention to Hus’s persona, provides a characterization of the views of Russian intellectuals at the time of the contest announcement regarding the legacy of the Czech religious figure, and presents reflections on how the proposal to support Jan Hus’s 500th jubilee aligns with the tradition of honoring cultural figures in the Russian Empire by the mid-19th century. The material draws from both published documents and sources not yet introduced into scholarly circulation. The motives behind honoring Jan Hus's legacy are seen in the acknowledgment by the chairman of the St. Petersburg branch of the committee, Gilferding, of the Orthodox foundations of the Czech reformer’s teachings, deeming it possible to use Hus celebrations as a lever of influence on Czech society and advance the idea of political and religious unity among all Slavic branches in Orthodox faith.

The article examines the relationship between the Alans and the Mongols during the latter’s global expansion. The aim is to present the main historical narratives on this issue. Various multilingual written sources from the 13th-16th centuries were used for the research. The historical-genetic approach allowed for the presentation of relevant source information outside the context of specific studies on different aspects of the problem. As a result, Alan-Mongol relations are traced within the complex of historical events, processes, and phenomena that constituted Mongol expansion. Conclusions are drawn that the Alans, inhabiting various regions of Eurasia, were drawn into the orbit of the internal and external political life of the Mongol Empire. It is asserted that despite the severe consequences of Mongol conquest, Caucasian Alania managed to integrate into the economic and political system of the Golden Horde, while Alan settlement enclaves and districts in its western and eastern parts, as well as Alans in Mongolia and China, were assimilated. Additionally, it is shown that ally-vassal relations with the Jochids played a crucial role for the North Caucasian Alans, involving them in confrontation with Timur’s empire on the side of Khan Tokhtamysh.

This article explores the formation and activities of the administration of the Alexandrovskaya Central Penal Colony, which played a significant role within the Main Prison Administration of the Russian Empire. The management structure of the Alexandrovskaya Central Penal Colony is examined, along with the staffing schedule of employees. The article also delves into the personnel policy from the establishment of the prison in 1873 until the radical restructuring of the penitentiary system in Russia after the 1917 revolution. Instructional letters outlining the authorities of prison staff are analyzed, as well as the working hours and conditions specific to inmate management at Alexandrovskaya prison. The article scrutinizes the amount of monetary compensation for prison officials and compares it to income levels in other regional prisons. The staffing levels of managerial employees in the prison castle are investigated. Despite low incomes, disorganization in their personal lives, and high levels of daily work stress, there was virtually no turnover among staff. Through examples of individual wardens, it is revealed that they showed a committed attitude towards their duties, striving to make the prison an exemplary institution. The article establishes the fact of career advancement for employees of the Alexandrovskaya Central Penal Colony within the penitentiary system of Irkutsk Province.

This study explores the novels of contemporary Austrian writer Raphaela Edelbauer (Raphaela Edelbauer, b. 1990) “The Fluid Land” (Das flüssige Land, 2019), “DAVE” (DAVE, 2021), “The Incommensurables” (Die Inkommensurablen, 2023) in the context of contemporary Austrian literature of the early third millennium. The relevance of the research is driven by the necessity to comprehend the trends in Austrian literature during an era of global changes. It is revealed that, on one hand, the author continues the traditions of Austrian literature of the second half of the 20th century, particularly on a thematic level (Austrian identity, overcoming the past, the false idyll of provincial Austria, conflicts between fathers and children, etc.), while on the other hand, delving into pressing contemporary issues (transhumanism, artificial intelligence, etc.). The concept of fictionality is central to the analysis, exploring the ways and specifics of its implementation in the artistic text in alignment with the author’s communicative intentions. Special attention is given to Edelbauer’s individual style, the uniqueness of narrative organization in the examined genre varieties (parable novel, science fiction novel, historical novel), and the quest for a “personal” language. The novelty of this research lies in the fact that Edelbauer’s work, distinguished by prestigious literary awards in Austria and Germany, has not been a subject of study in Russian literary studies.

This article examines the process of formation and transformations of the Russian scientific diaspora in Germany in the 1990s-2010s. It raises questions about the reasons and paths of creating a large community of scientific workers and researchers who moved from Russia to Germany. An approximate estimate of the number of members of the group under study at the turn of the XX-XXI centuries is provided. Special attention is paid to the analysis of forms and types of association among Russian compatriot scientists in Germany. Sources include data from Russian and German state statistical agencies, documents from the German Academic Exchange Service, a transcript of the German government’s report to the Bundestag, and others. An overview of the tools used by the German authorities to attract scientific personnel from Russia in the 1990s-2010s is conducted. The policy of Russian authorities regarding interaction with the scientific diaspora during the period under review is analyzed. It is shown how Moscow increased contacts with the scientific diaspora in Germany in the early 2010s amid intensified competition for highly qualified personnel. It is noted that although these initiatives contributed to the development of new formats of cooperation between scientists of Russian origin in Germany and Russian scientific institutions, they were later suspended and did not lead to a systemic activation of interaction.